Whether you are a patient or visitor at West Hills Hospital & Medical center, we want your experience with us to be as pleasant as possible. We have provided helpful information to help you during your stay or while visiting a patient in the hospital.

When Your Child Has Inflammatory Bowel Disease

You have helped your child make adjustments to medications, diet,
and certain lifestyle changes to manage
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The greatest issues they may have to contend with are
the social and emotional challenges that come with having a chronic
illness.

In particular, your child may be struggling with concerns about
being "normal" and fitting in, embarrassment and shame over having
IBD, worries about their health, frustration with the restrictions
and limitations imposed upon them by the illness, and being rejected
or teased by other children. How can you help your child cope?

Managing Worries

Your child may be worried about their symptoms, as well as the disease itself. The worst fears may be the result of not understanding or knowing enough about their illness. Reassure your child that they're not at fault for their condition. Some signs of difficulty you may see are:

Sleeplessness

Poor eating habits

Not following their treatment plan

Sadness, frequent crying, loss of interest in activities may indicate signs of
depression

Your child understands a chronic disease must be managed throughout life, but remind them that IBD doesn't have to slow them down. Let them know they're not alone and they will live a normal life like other children. Here are some tips to set your child on the right track.

Building Self-esteem

When your child is feeling down or thinking too much about their disease and its restrictions, acknowledge their feelings. Help them
to focus on their strengths, talents, and other assets. There diasease does not define who they are.

Although it is normal to feel upset or unsure about IBD, it should not overrule other thoughts or feelings. Activities that may help manage stressful times include:

Regular exercise is a mood booster, helps refocus attention, and can allow them to be with other children on sports teams.

Another good way for your child to forget their own troubles for a
while is through helping others. Encourage them to help you cook a meal, plant a garden, or run errands for a person in need of assistance.

Helping With Feelings

Children with IBD experience a variety of emotions: anger, fear,
sadness, resentment, and embarrassment, as well as joy and pride
when they overcome the obstacles of their illness and reach goals.
It is important for your child to know that they have a right to
all
of their feelings, and that feelings should not be labeled
as good or bad.

One way you can help your child deal with their feelings is to
listen to them and offer support. Try to get at the root of their emotions and see if the problem can be solved.

Encourage your child to talk about their feelings with you or
your spouse, a sibling, friend, teacher, healthcare provider,
counselor, or any other trusted and supportive person. Remind your child that there are ways for them to control the disease and controlling it can reduce the chances of flare ups.

It may help your child to join a support group. People (especially in the same age group) with similar experiences can often be helpful make your child feel less alone.

Empowerment

At times, your child may be consumed by negative thoughts, like feeling as if they caused the illness.
Reassure them that they're not at fault for their condition. You can
help your child to accept IBD by getting them to focus on how they're
going to handle it. As your child gets older, give them more responsibility about medications, diet, and managing the the day to day aspects of the disease.

If your child is a teenager and feels more comfortable about it, they may want to inform others in their life about what is going on. It's not unusual for other teens to start asking questions, and it may be easier to open up to friends. How much your teen wants to share is up to them.

Help them to stay positive and think about long-term
goals and dreams. Here are some other things that may make your child feel better and help them empower themselves:

Get enough rest, even between flare ups.

Stick with the diet that works. Know what foods make them feel good and bad.

Take medications as directed all the time.

Keep seeing the doctor on a regular basis.

It is important for your child to feel there is control, but sometimes that may not be possible. Part of help is getting them the support they need.

Meeting With School Staff

A positive experience at school increases your child's
self-esteem, sense of accomplishment, and happiness. You can help
increase his chances of having a positive experience at school by
making ongoing contacts (preferably in person) with their principal,
teachers, and other school staff so that they are aware of any
special needs.

Specifically, school staff will need to be educated about your
child's IBD, medications, diet, emotional and physical stress,
emergency situations, absences, or need for access to a private bathroom. Also, make the staff aware of the potential for your child to be alienated or harassed by other students because of their condition.

Fostering Communication

If you are at ease talking about IBD openly, your child
will probably feel more comfortable sharing information about it,
as well. This can help them to handle the fears and questions of their
peers, who, once better informed, may not be so apt to tease or
alienate them. However, your child should be encouraged to share
knowledge and feelings about their illness only to the degree to
which they feels comfortable.

You can help by having the doctor talk to your child about symptoms, treatment, side effects of treatment, and what he can
do to feel more in control of his IBD. Also, take advantage of
information available on Internet (use reliable and trusted websites) and contact
national organizations that can provide resources and support.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.